Humidifier



May 3, 1932.

W. D. JORDAN HUMIDIFIER Filed May 18, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \Vagncz D. clox dan y 1932- w. D. JORDAN ,856,918

HUMIDIFIER Filed May 18, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l6 gnwwlo'c P15 5 v dam wzqdr Patented May 3, 1932 WAYNE 1). JORDAN, F MINNEAPOLIS, M

PATENT OFFICE INNESOTA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T0 DANIEL HANDELAN, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA HUMIDIFIER Application filed May 18,

My invention relates to humidifiers and has for its object to provide a humidifier in which the surplus water in the humidified air may be more thoroughly removed therefrom. j

Another object of the invention resides in providing a vertical case having a curved bottom, and in providing a partition within said case extending down toward said curved bottom and forming in conjunction therewith a reversed passageway having its point of reversal at the curved bottom.

Another object of the invention resides in positioning acurved water eliminator at the point of reversal of said passageway.

A feature of the invention resides inconstructing said eliminator with a plurality of curved plates spaced from one another and conforming to the curvature of said bottom.

An object of the invention resides in providing end plates resting upon said curved bottom for holding said plates in proper relation and forming supports therefor.

A still'further object of the invention resides in making said partition removable from said case, and in supporting said partition upon the end plates, said. end plates being notched to receive the lower end of said partition.

Another object of. the invention resides in constructing said case open at the inlet end thereof and in providing a cover for the open end of said case, said cover having a plurality of openings therein for the ingress of air into the passageway within said case. A still further object of the invention resides in providing a motor having a fan for impelling the flow of air through said case,

said fan being disposed adjacent one of the Y openings in said cover.

m Another object of the invention resides in providing closures for said other openings, said closures being ada ted to be closed upon the operation of said an.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a shaft having arms attached thereto 1929. Serial 1T0. 884,141.

for opening and closing said closures, and in further providing a switch for said fan adapted to be operated b said shaft, said shaft serving to open sai switch upon the opening of said closures.

An object of the invention resides in forming said fan of a diameter greater than the said motor and an, and in swingably connecting the motor thereto, and in further constructing the cover for said case removable therefrom, said motor and fan being swingable relative to said bracket in a direction away from said cover to permit of the removal of said cover from the case.

Other objects of the invention reside in the details of construction thereof, and in the I novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter illustrated or described,

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a humidifier illustrating an embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 with the top thereof removed.

Fig. 3 isan elevational sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view showing the method of attaching the cover to the humidifier case.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of the switch operating mechanism of the invention.

In the use of humidifyingapparatus in residences, considerable objection has heretofore been raised as to the installation of special equipment as an element of the building proper and also to the disposition of the registers required therewith in conspicuous places in the walls of the building. The instant invention utilizes an attractive cabinet for housing the humidifying apparatus, said cabinet providing the necessary air inlet and outlet to the humidifying apparatus and enclosing all of the working parts of the device.

For the purpose of illustration, the applicant has shown in the drawingsa cabinet A which forms a part of the humidifier. This cabinet may be constructed in any of a number of different ways such as are well known in the art of cabinet making, any of which may be equally as well used without depart- 111% from the spirit of the invention. The ca inet A consists of four posts 10, 11, 12 and 13 which are connected together by means of. lower rails 14, 15, 16 and, 17 which are connected together by means of upper rails 18, 19, 20 and 21. Between the rails 17 and 20, and posts 12 and 13, is disposed a panel 22 which may be secured within the same as by grooving or otherwise. A similar anel 23 is mounted between the legs 10 an 11 and the rails 15 and 18 while a panel 24 disposed at the rear of the cabinet is attached between the rails 16 and 19 and the posts 11 and 12, thereby enclosing the cabinet on the two ends and the rear side thereof. It will be noted that all of the rails 14, 15, 16 and 17 are elevated above the lowermost ends of the posts 10, 11, 12 and 13 so as to provide a space indicated at 25 between the fioor or other surface on which the cabinet A is placed, and the lowermost portions of the various walls of the cabinet, which .space serves as an inlet for the air to be humidified and which will be later further referred to.

The upper portion of the cabinet A is closed by means of a top 26 which is swingably connected thereto along the rearward portion of the cabinet by means of hinges 27 secured to the said top and to the rail 19. By

means of this construction, the interior of the cabinet including the various operating parts of the humidifier may be readily examined and inspected from above whenever the occasion demands. a

The front of the cabinet A is .closed by means of two doors 28 and 29 which are hinged to the posts 10 and 11 by means of hinges 30 and which are adapted to swing outwardly to give access to the interior of the cabinet through the lowermost portion thereof, or which are adapted to close the major portion of the front of the cabinet. These doors extend completely across the space between the posts 10 and 13 and also fit in between the rail 14 and another rail 31 extending between said posts, which rail is spaced from the upper rail 21. of the cabinet proper. The doors 28 and 29 may be provided with knobs or pulls 32 and with such other hardware as is usually employed for properly supporting and holding the doors in adjusted position.

WVithin the space between the rails 21 and 31 is arranged a register 33 formed with a suitable grating 34 which provides the necessary outlet for the humidifier. This register may, if desired, extend completel across the space between the posts 10 and 13 or the same may fall short thereof and the spaces between the ends of said registers and posts filled with suitable panels shown at 35 and 36 in the drawings.

The entire cabinet A may be constructed with any desired embellishments and may be formed of wood, metal or any other suitable material and constructed to conform with any of the various types of furniture with which it is desired to correspond. It is further to be noted that the cabinet Amay be constructed in accordance with any of the usual methods of cabinet making now well known in the art to give the finished device as attractive an appearance as possible.

Within the cabinet A is disposed a case B which is preferably constructed of sheet metal and which, in the form of the invention shown, is of elongated form, preferably vertically arranged. This case comprises a rear wall 37, a front wall 38 and end walls 39 and 40. The upper portion of this case is normally open but is closed in a manner to be presently described while the lowenportion of the said case is constructed with a curved bottom 41 rigidly connected to the various walls of the case, said bottom lying in continuation with the front 38 and the back 37 of the said case. At the rear of the case B is formed an extension thereto which I have indicated at 42, which extension is formed byflaring the rear wall 37 rearwardly as indicated at 43 and 44, and in inclining the lowermost portion thereof indicated at 45 upwardl v to meet a. vertical portion 46 parallel with the wall proper 37. By means of this construction, the upper end of the case B is greatly enlarged for a purpose to be presently described in detail.

which I have designated at 50, which is reversed in direction in proximity to the lowermost portion of the case. The air to be humidified is directed through the said passageway and the water-used for humidifying the same sprayed into the air passing through this passageway in a manner to properly inject a suflicient amount of water therein, as will be presently described in detail.

The upper end of the artition 47 is curved as designated at 51 in Fig. 4 to extend over to the register 33 while the front wall 38 of sald case is similarly curved at 52 to extend over to the lowermost edge of the register 33. Portions 53 of the side walls 39 and 40 of the case B follow the curved ortions 52 and 53 forming in conjunction t erewith and said partition and the front wall 38, an outlet 54 leading from the passageway to the reg1s-- ter 33.

The upper portion of the chamber 49, together with the upperportion of the extension 42. provides the inlet to the devlce. This inlet is covered by means of a cover 55 which is attached to the upper edge of the walls 39, 40, 43, 46and 44 by means of cli s 56. These clips are preferably constructe with hooked portions 56 which may upper edge of the said walls of the case proper. The said clips are further constructed with ledges 58 extending inwardly into the case proper and forming a support for the edge of the cover 55 which is preferably reinforced, as indicated at 59. The clips 56 may be bolted to the cover 55 through bolts 60 which pass through the ledge 58 in the reinforced portion 59 in said cover 55, or if desired, the said clips may be secured to the case proper and the covei loosely placed upon the ledge 58 thereof. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, I have shown the clips 56 along the two sides 39 and 40 of the case as boltedto the cover 55, while the remaining clips are rigidly secured to the said case. By means of this construction, the cover 55 is dropped somewhat below the upper edge of the case, which prevents water from leaking out of the case and following along the joint between the case and cover.

For the purpose of admitting air into the inlet of the humidifier proper, the cover 55 is provided with a central circular opening 61 which extends almost completel across the entire cover and with two a ditional openings 62 and 63 which are situated to the side of the opening 61. These latter openings are adapted to be closed b means of swin 'ing closures 64 and 65 whic are hinged to t e cover 55 through hinges 66. When the closures 64.and 65 are open as shown in Fig. 3,

' air is adapted to pass through the openings 62 and 63 and the opening 61 and to flow downwardly along the chamber 49 around the curved portion of case B and u wardly along the chamber 48 and through t e outlet 54 and into the room proper.

For the purpose of humidifying the air passing through the passageway 50, two spray nozzles 67 and 68 are employed which extend through the cover 55 at points disbe hooked over the posed between the openings 62 and 61 and betweenthe openings 61 and 63. These spray nozzles may be of any desiredtype and are connected through two tubes 69 and 70 with a water filter 71 which is disposed within the extended portion 42 of the case B. T he water filter 71 is connected through a pipe 72 with a valve 73 which in turn is connected to a pipe 74 leading to a suitable source of water supply. The valve stem 7 5 of the valve 73 extends outwardly through the panel 22 of case A where the same has attached to it a knob 76 by means of which the valve 73 may be operated. Through this knob, the amount of water furnished to the spray nozzles 67 and 68 may be manuall controlled and the degree of humidity o the air passing through the humidifier conveniently regulated.

In the operation of the device, air is drawn from the exterior of the room through the space 25 beneath the lower structure of the case A and along the spaces 109 and 110 between the side walls of the cabinet and the side walls of the humidifier case B. This air next passes through the openings 61, 62, and 63 where the spray nozzles 67 and 68 cause the same to circulate through the passageway 50 and to be discharged from .the same through the outlet 54. At the same time, a fine mist or spray of water from the spray nozzles is discharged into the air, bringin the humidity of the same up to the desired egree.

In the use of spray nozzles such as are now available, a considerable amount of excess moisture is expended into the air of which the larger globules upon discharge of the air into the room proper are precipitated upon the objects with which the air comes into contact, thereby moistening the same. To overcome this disadvantage, a water eliminator is employed which I have indicated at 78 in Fi 4, and which is constructed as follows: his humidifier comprises two end plates 79 and 80 which are curved at the ower ends thereof and which rest upon the curved bottom 41 of the case B. Between these'end plates are'mounted two curved deflectors 81 and 82 which are spaced from the lower edge 83 of the partition 47 and which conform in curvature to the curved bottom 41 of the device. The air upon entering the chamber 49 passes downwardly along the same and when reaching the deflectors is caused to quickly reverse in direction. During such reversal in direction, centrifugal force is brought into play to cause the surplus water in the air to be preci itated therefrom,

and to be caught by said ottom and deflectors. Openings 84 and 85 through the lowermost portions of the deflectors 81 and 82 serve to lead the water to the bottom 41 where the same may be removed from the humidifier throu h a drain 86 attached to case B.

It is to noted in Fig. 4 that the end plates 79 and 80 of the eliminator 78 are formed with notches 87 centrally disposed with relation thereto, and that the said plates are situated in close proximity to the end walls 5 39 and 40 of the case proper. These notches serve to removably support the lower edge 83 of the partition 47, which partition is demountably secured within the case B and is detaehably connected to theupper portions 53 of the side walls 39 and 40 in much the same manner as the cover 55 is secured to the u per 'edges of the case proper. By means of this construction, partition 47 may be bodilv removed from the case and likewise the eliminator 78 removed therefrom to permit of conveniently assembling the device during the construction thereof as well as to permit of inspecting, cleaning and repairing the humidifier as the occasion demands. In the operation of my invention, the force of the water leaving the spray nozzles 67 and 68 causes the'air to circulate through the passageway 50 and to discharge through the outlet 54 into the room proper. For the purpose of procuring a circulation of air through the humidifier greatly in excess of that procured with the use of the spray nozzles alone, I employ a fan 77 which is best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. This fan is mounted u on the shaft 88 of an electric motor 89 whic is situated in the upper portion of the cabinet A. The motor 89 is constructed with a lug 90 which is swivelly attached to the bracket 91 through a bolt 92, said bracket being mounted on the rail 19 of cabinet A. As shown in Fig.

2, the fan 77 is adapted to'be disposed central- 'ly within the opening 61 in cover 55 and when the motor 89 is in normal position, the elevation of the same is substantially in the lane 40 of cover 55, as shown in Fig. 4. When it becomes necessary to remove the cover 55, the motor 89 and fan 77 may be swung upwardly and away from said cover about the bolt 92 as a hinge, thereby permitting the cover 55 to be raised and the clips 56 to be disengaged from the upper edges of the case proper. The spray nozzles 67 and 68 preferably protrude through the cover 55 to permit of manlpulating the regulating valves 93 thereof. The openings in the cover through which the nozzles extend are so constructed as to permit the handles of the said valves to pass through said openings on the removal of the cover, as above described.

55 When it is desired to rely solely upon the circulation of air through the humidifier, as caused by the spray nozzles, it becomes neces sary to have as large an inlet to the device as possible. This is accomplished by use of the auxiliary air openings 62 and 63. When, however, it is deslred to operate the fan 77 to increase the flow of air through the device, it has been found that by leaving the openings 62 and 63 uncovered, the air would short'circuit and escape through these passageways rather than pass through the passageway 50 and out of the humidifier by way of outlet 54. To eliminate this difficulty, the closures 64 and 65 have been employed which are closed when the fan 77 is put into operation. As before stated, fan 77 is operated through an electric motor 89 and in the resent invention means have been provided or automatically closing the closures 64 and 65 upon the energizing of the motor 89.

The operation of motor 89 is as follows: A shaft 94 is j ournalled in two brackets 95 and 96 which are attached to the side walls 39 and 40 of the case B and which extend u wardly and rearwardly therefrom so that t e said shaft superimposes the rearward ortion of the case proper. This shaft exten s through the panel 22 of cabinet A and has attached to its outer end a knob 97, by means of which the same may be rotated in the bearin formed in the brackets 95 and 96. Attached to the panel 22 and immediately below the shaft 94 is an electric switch 98 of any suitable type. The switch shown is provided with a button 99 by means of which the switch may be turned off and on. A forked lever 100 attached to the shaft 94 straddles the button 99 and serves to swing the same from'its off to its on position, and vice versa, as the knob 97 is rotated. In this manner, the motor may be turned on and off by turning the knob 97 in the proper direction.

The two closures 64 and 65 are operated through the shaft 94. For this purpose, two arms 101 and 102 are employed which are rigidly secured to said shaft and which superimpose the closures 64 and 65. Two chains 103 and 104 are attached to the said arms and also to the closures 64 and 65. As the shaft 94 is rotated in one direction, these chains raise the closures, as shown in Fig. 3, while rotation of the knob 97 in the other direction causes said closures to occupy their closing positions, as shown in Fig. 2. For the purpose of counterbalancing the weight of the closures 64 and 65, I employ a coil spring 105 which is attached at one end to the memher 100 and at its other end to a pin 106 or other suitable attaching device secured to the rail 20 of case A. In setting the device, the member 100 is so disposed as to turn the switch off when the closures 64 and 65 are raised and to turn the switch on when the closures are in closing position.

To operate the fan 77, it is merely neces- 15 sary to turn the knob 97 in the proper direction which simultaneously closes the switch 98 to energize motor 89, and at the same time closes the closures 64 and 65.- Air is then caused to circulate through the passageway 50 at a much greater velocity than when the nozzles 67 and 68 alone are relied on, thereby greatly increasing the capacity of the humidifier. It is to be noted that as the velocity of the air'through the humidifier increases, the

amount of surplus water in the air removed therefrom also increases so that the air upon entering the room when the fan is in operation contains a smaller percentage of surplus water than otherwise. If desired, the water supply may be entirely cut off and the fan 77 set in operation. This circulates the air through the device and causes the same to be dehumidified as the same passes the water eliminator 78. In this manner, the device may be used either for humidifying the air during dry seasons or fordehumidifying the same in humid seasons.

My invention is highly meritorious in that an attractive device is provided which may readily be utilized for controlling the humidity of the air in the room in which it is installed. My invention assumes the form of an article of furniture and at the same time encloses all of the operating parts of the humidified proper. All of the operating parts of the humidifier are ready accessible through the removable top of the case, and the entire humidifier may be quickly dissembled for inspection or repairs. The device is extremely simple in operation and can be operated at a trifling cost. By positioning the eliminator at the reversed portion of the air passageway, the excess water in the air may be more effectively eliminated than otherwise. The device is entirely automatic and .the change to electric operation may be easily accomplished by the rotation of a single knob. Only two controls need be used in the operation of the humidifier after the spray noz zles have been properly set to atomize the particular water at the pressure available where the device is installed.

' Changes inthe specific form of my invention.. as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A humidifier comprising a case having a curved bottom and a partition extending along said case and toward said curved bottom and forming in conjunction with the walls of said case a reversed passageway, an outlet formed at one end of said passageway. and an inlet formed at the other end of said passageway, means for spraying and aninlet formed at the other end of said passageway, means for spraying water into said passageway at the inlet end thereof, and a curved plate disposed within said assageway and followingthe curvature o the bottom of said case for 'the elimination of Water at the reversal in said passageway, the curvature of said plate being coextensive with the curvature of said bottom.

3, A humidifier comprising a case, a watereliminator removably positioned in the bottomof said case, a partition removably disposed within said case, said partition being supported on said water eliminator and held in proper position relative thereto to form a reversed passageway within said case.

4. A humidifier comprislng a vertical case having a curved bottom therein, a plurality of curved plates adapted to be disposed adjacent the bottom thereof in spaced relation thereto and following the curvature of said bottom, end plates secured to said curved plates for holding the same in proper relation and forming supports therefor, a removable partition disposed within said case to form a reversed passageway therethrough,

said partition being supported upon said end plates.

' 5. A humidifier comprising a vertical case having a curved bottom therein, a plurality of curved plates disposed adjacent the bottom thereof in spaced relation thereto, and following the curvature of said bottom, end plates secured to said curved plates for holding the same in proper relation and forming supports therefor, said end plates having notches in the upper portions thereof, and a removable partition disposed within said case to form a reversed passageway there in, said partition being supported within the notches of said end plates.

6. A humidifier comprising an elongated case of greater width than depth, a partition extending longitudinally of said case and across the width thereof to form a reversed passageway within said case, an outletformed on one end-of said passageway, an inlet formed at the other end of said passageway, a fan of larger diameter than the depth of said passageway disposed at the inlet thereof with a portion of said fan overhang ing said case proper, and an extension onsaid case for including the overhanging portion ofsaid fan within said inlet.

7. A humidifier comprising an elongated case of greater width than depth, a partition extending longitudinally of said case and across the width thereof to form a reversed passageway within said case, an outlet formed on one end of said passageway, an inlet formed at the other end of said passageway, a fan of larger diameter than the depth of said passageway disposed at the inlet thereof with a portion of said fan overhanging the case proper, and an extension on said case for including the overhanging portion of said fan within said inlet, a spray nozzle within said inlet, and a water filter connected to said spray nozzle, said water filter being disposed within said case extension.

8. A humidifier comprising a case forming an air passageway, a spray nozzle within sa1d passageway for circulating and humid fyin the air passing therethrough, a fan for urther impelling the flow of air through said passageway, said spray nozzle being adapted to be used conjointly with or independently of said fan, and supplemental inlets for said passageway for allowing the additional entrance of air into said passageway upon .the use of said spray nozzle independently of said fan.

9. A humidifier comprising a case forming an air passageway, a spray nozzle within said passageway for circulating and humidltying the air passing therethrough, a fan for further impelling the flow of air through said passageway, said spray nozzle being adapted to be used conjointly with or independently of said fan, and supplemental inlets for said passageway for allowing the entrance of additional air into said passageway upon the use of said spray nozzle independently of said fan, closures for said supplemental inlets, an operating member, a switch for said.

fan, means operated by said operating member for operating said closures, and means operated by said operating members for opening said switch upon the opening of said closures.

10. A humidifier comprising a case forming an air passageway, a spray nozzle within said passageway for circulatin and humidifying the air passing therethrough, a fan for further impelling the flow of air through said passageway, said spray nozzle being adapted to be used conjointly with or independently of said fan, and supplemental inlets for said passageway for allowing the entrance of additional air into said passageway upon the use of said spray nozzle inlependently of said fan, a pair of closures hingedly connected to said case for closing said inlets, a shaft extending across said case and journalled relative thereto, arms attached to said shaft for opening said closures,

and a switch for said fan operated by said,

shaft and adapted to be opened upon the opening of said closures.

11. A humidifier comprising an elongated case open at the upper end thereof, a partition insertible within said case and forming a reversed passageway therein, said partition forming in conjunction with said case an outlet for said passageway, a cover for the inlet of said passageway extending up to said partition, a motor having a fan for impelling the flow of air through said passageway, said cover being provided with an opening for the reception of said fan, and means for humidifying the air passing through said passageway.

12. A humidifier comprising an elongated case open at the'upper end thereof, a partition insertible within said case and forming a reversed passageway therein, said partition forming in conjunction with said case an outlet for said passageway, a cover for the inlet of said passageway extending up to said partition, a motor havin a fan for impelling the flow of air through said passageway, said cover being provided with an opening for the reception of said fan, and means for humidifyin the air assing through said passageway, a racket or said motor, said motor being pivoted to said bracket to swing away from said cover or to swing in a position to cause the fan thereof to register with the opening in said cover, and means for detachably supporting said cover on said case, said cover being removable upon said case upon the swinging of said motor away from said cover.

13. A humidifier comprising a case having an air passageway'therethrough, and open at one end, a cover for the open end of said case, a fan, said case having an opening to' receive said fan and having a supplemental opening therein, a closure for said supplemental opening, a switch, and means for simultaneously turning off said switch and openin said closure.

14. A humidifier comprising a case having a bottom and a partition extending along said case and toward said bottom'and spaced therefrom to form in conjunction therewith a reversed passageway, an outlet formed at one end of said passageway, an inlet formed at the other end of said passageway, means for spraying water into said passageway at the inlet end thereof, and a curved plate disposed within said passageway and straddling the end of said partition for the elimination of water at the reversal of said passageway,

15. A humidifier comprising means forming a reversed air passageway having two vertical legs with the reversal of said passageway at the lowermost portion of said legs, an outlet formed in one end of said passageway, an inlet formed at the other end of said passageway, means for spraying water into said passageway at the inlet end thereof,

and a curved plate disposed at the lower tending from said outlet into said case, means forming a passageway extending between said chamber and the lower portion of said second passageway, means for spraying water into said last named passageway and a fan disposed within said case in said chamber for blowing air into said third passage- 1 h testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature to this specification.

WAYNE D. JORDAN. 

